Mozambique form of government. Mozambique map in Russian. capital of Mozambique, flag, history of the country. Where is Mozambique located on the world map. Gorongosa National Park

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Republic of Mozambique- a state in southeast Africa, a former Portuguese colony. Mozambique is washed by the Indian Ocean in the east, bordered by Tanzania in the north, Malawi and Zambia in the northeast, Zimbabwe in the west and Swaziland and South Africa in the south. Member State of the Commonwealth of Nations and the Commonwealth of Portuguese-speaking Countries.

45% of the territory is occupied by the coastal lowland. Low mountains (10% of the territory) are located in the northwest. The highest point is Binga (2437 m).

Airports in Mozambique

Vilanculos Airport

Maputo International Airport

Nampula Airport

Mozambique hotels 1 - 5 stars

Weather in Mozambique

The climate of the northern regions is subequatorial, monsoon, and the central and southern regions are tropical trade wind. Two seasons: wet (summer - November-March) and dry (winter - June-October). Average annual air temperatures are +22°–27° C, in mountainous areas – +18°. Precipitation occurs in the form of tropical downpours and floods occur. 2/3 of the territory receives less than 1000 mm of precipitation per year and is subject to regular droughts (3 out of 10 years are dry). The mountains receive more than 1000 mm of precipitation per year.

Language of Mozambique

Official language: Portuguese

In addition to Portuguese, English is also used (especially in the capital). Most common local languages– Imakua, Chinyanja, Chishona and Shangaan.

Currency of Mozambique

International name: MZM

One metical is equal to 100 centavos. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 meticals, coins in 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 centavos, 1, 2, 5 and 10 meticals.

US dollars and South African rands are readily accepted at any retail outlet. In the south it is possible to pay for a large number of things and services with rands.

The best place to exchange currency is private exchange offices in Maputo, which offer better conditions than banks. Exchanging money on the street is unsafe due to the high level of crime, mainly fraud.

The use of credit cards and travel checks is almost impossible throughout the country.

Customs restrictions in Mozambique

The import of foreign currency is not limited (a declaration is required for amounts over 5 thousand US dollars). The import and export of national currency is prohibited.

Duty-free import is allowed: cigarettes - up to 400 pcs., or cigars - 50 pcs., or tobacco - 250 grams, wine - up to 5 liters, spirits - up to 1 liter, perfumes and medicines - within the limits of personal needs, new goods worth no more than $100.

It is prohibited to import drugs, weapons and ammunition for them, pyrotechnics, gold, platinum and silver in bars, plates or coins without the permission of the country's bank, handicraft alcoholic beverages, as well as photographs, graphics, printed materials and video materials "obscene or directed against the Republic of Mozambique or the dignity of the Mozambican people." The export of ivory and ivory products, food products is prohibited if the conditions for their storage along the route are not ensured.

Import of animals

When importing pets, you must present a veterinary certificate with a note on vaccinations against rabies (except for kittens and puppies under 6 months of age) and permission from the country's veterinary service.

Mains voltage: 220V

Tips

Tipping is not accepted.

Code of the country: +258

Geographical Domain name first level:.mz

Details Category: East African countries Published 04/27/2015 17:02 Views: 1946

Mozambique is a country with a developing economy. But for now Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world.

The Civil War dealt a severe blow to the country's industry. Many roads were destroyed, mines and mines were flooded.

Mozambique borders Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and South Africa. It is washed by the Indian Ocean (the territory of Mozambique extends along the coast of the Indian Ocean for about 3000 km).

State symbols

Flag– is a 5-color rectangular panel with an aspect ratio of 2:3. From the shaft there are horizontal green, black and golden-yellow transverse belts. In the center of the red triangle is a star, in which a weapon and a hoe placed crosswise are placed on an open book. The flag of Mozambique is the only flag in the world that has an image of a modern weapon - a Kalashnikov assault rifle.
The star symbolizes hope for international solidarity with the Mozambican people. The book, hoe and weapon symbolize education, production and defense. The color red symbolizes resistance to colonialism, the armed struggle for independence and the defense of sovereignty; green – the country’s plant wealth; black - African continent; golden yellow – the country’s mineral wealth; white – the justice of the Mozambican people’s struggle for peace. The flag was approved on May 1, 1983.

Coat of arms– is an orange field ending at the top in the form of a gear wheel. The sun is shining over the mountain standing by the sea. The mountain is covered with a white open book, with a crossed hoe and a Kalashnikov assault rifle on top of everything. The composition is framed by stalks of sugar cane on the left and corn on the right, entwined with a red ribbon, below which the name of the state is written on Portuguese. At the top between the stems there is a red five-pointed star. The stalk of corn and sugar cane symbolize wealth, the cogwheel symbolizes labor and industry, the book symbolizes education, the hoe symbolizes peasantry and production. Agriculture”, Kalashnikov assault rifle - “protection and vigilance”, the red star - the spirit of international solidarity of the people of Mozambique. The red sun symbolizes the creation of new life.

State structure

Form of government- presidential republic.
Head of State– President, elected by the population for a 5-year term (a second consecutive term is possible).

Incumbent since 2015 Filipe Nyusi
Head of the government- Prime Minister.
Capital- Maputo.

Largest cities – Maputo, Matola, Nampula, Beira.
Official language– Portuguese.
Territory– 801,590 km².
Administrative division– 11 provinces, which are divided into 128 districts.

Population– 24,692,144 people. Urban population – 37%. Ethnic composition: blacks 99.66%, mulattoes 0.2%, Indians 0.08%, whites 0.06%.
Religion– Catholics 23.8%, Muslims 17.8%, Christian Zionists 17.5%, other religions.
Currency– metical.
Economy– an agrarian state (more than 80% of workers are employed in agriculture). At the same time, 88% of the country's fertile lands remain uncultivated. Significant damage to the country is caused by regular natural disasters. Natural resources : coal, titanium, tantalum, gas, hydropower. Agriculture: cotton, cashew, sugar cane, tea, cassava (tapioca), corn, coconuts, sisal, citrus and tropical fruits, potatoes, sunflowers; livestock and poultry are raised. Industry: processing of agricultural products, drinks, soap, aluminum, textiles, cigarettes. Export: aluminum, shrimp, cashews, cotton, sugar, citrus fruits, timber. Import: mechanical engineering products, vehicles, fuel, chemical products, food, textiles.

Education– since 1983, 7-year education has been compulsory elementary education, divided into two stages. Primary schools Only about 40% of children attend. Secondary education (5 years), takes place in two stages. Teaching in schools in Portuguese and English.
Higher education: State University A state university named after E. Mondlane was opened in Maputo (teaching in Portuguese). There are 2 more universities and 32 technical colleges in the country. In 2003, about 52.2% of citizens were illiterate.
Sport– Football and athletics are popular. The country's athletes took part in all summer Olympic Games, starting with the Moscow Olympics in 1980. Never participated in the Winter Olympics. During the entire time they competed at the Olympics, representatives of Mozambique won two Olympic medals. Both were won by an athlete Maria Mutola in the 800 m race. She is a 10-time world champion.

Maria Mutola
Armed forces– formed after independence on the basis of disparate partisan detachments. Compound: ground troops, Navy, Air Force. Compulsory military service.

Nature

45% of the territory is occupied by the coastal lowland. Low mountains are located in the northwest. The highest point is Binga (2437 m).

Mount Binga
Deposits of lithium, niobium, tantalum, thorium, uranium and zirconium are of global importance. Minerals: iron, granite, copper, marble, natural gas, bauxite, graphite, gold, tin, silver, coal, precious and semi-precious stones (aquamarines, beryls, garnets, emeralds, topazes).
Climate in the northern regions - subequatorial, monsoon, and in the central and southern regions - tropical trade wind. Precipitation occurs in the form of tropical downpours and floods occur. But 2/3 of the territory is subject to regular droughts.

Zambezi River
The country has a dense network of rivers flowing into the Indian Ocean: Zambezi, Incomati, Ligonya, Limpopo, Lurio, Ruvuma, Savi, etc. The largest of them is the Zambezi. 460 km of its channel in Mozambique (out of 850 km) are navigable. The only freshwater lake Nyasa. During the rainy season, seasonal lakes - pens - are formed. 2% of the territory is occupied by swamps.

Flora

2/3 of the territory is covered with light tropical forests of miombo and savannas.

Miombos consist of 80% trees of the legume family, Berlinia, Combretum, lianas and Yulbernardia (acacia) are also found. In the river valleys grow ironwood, redwood, rosewood and ebony, palm trees and silk acacia, and in the mountains - brown mahogany and mahogany, Mlanja cedar and podocarpus.

Mahogany

Mahogany furniture
There are mangrove forests at the mouths of rivers and on the coast. In the center and south, tall grass savannas with low-growing trees predominate.

Fauna

The fauna is varied, especially the world of birds: turtle doves, marabou, parrots, owls, ostriches, weaver birds, toucans, hoopoes, herons and hawks.

Ostrich
Large mammals: buffalo, giraffe, wild boar, rhinoceroses and elephants. They live mainly in national parks.

Antelopes, hippopotamuses, civets, wolves, hyenas, wild goats, zebras, crocodiles, lemurs, leopards, lions, monkeys and jackals are common. Lots of reptiles (cobras, pythons, horned snakes, turtles and lizards) and insects.
Coastal waters are rich in fish: swordfish, sawfish, sardines, tuna, shrimp and lobster.

Culture

Literature

Few written monuments have survived. Oral folk art has been developed, which influences creativity modern writers. Literature develops mainly in Portuguese, works are also created in local Bantu languages. The founders of Mozambican literature are considered to be the journalist E. Dias and the Albazini brothers.
Famous writers: C. Gonçalves, A. Magaya, O. Mendis and others. Poets: S. Vieira, A. Guebuza, J. Craveirinha, M. dos Santos.

Music

Musical culture has retained its originality. Songs and dances - part Everyday life. The sense of rhythm dominates in national music.

Balafon
The main musical instruments are not drums, as in other African countries oh, and xylophones, of which there are about 50 types. Traditional music and dance uses drums, 2-string guitars, bells, lyres, lutes, bows, rattles, horns, whistles, 1-string violins, rattles, trumpets, flutes and zithers. The mbira is a very popular percussion instrument. The materials used to make tools are bamboo, elephant tusks and fangs, reeds, metal, baobab fruits, animal horns, reeds and pumpkins. Mostly men play musical instruments.

Choral singing, ceremonial and ritual songs and dances are widespread, which have changed over time. But, as throughout the world, pop music is widespread.
National documentary cinema began to develop during the period of independence. Created in 1975 National Institute cinematography.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Mozambique

Mozambique Island

An island off the coast of Mozambique, in the north of the country. The city on this island is also called. The colony and then the state of Mozambique got its name from this island.
The island is located in the western Indian Ocean. Its length is 3 km, area 1.5 km². The population is about 54 thousand people. The island suffers from overpopulation.
The island is separated from the African mainland by a kilometer-long strait through which a bridge was built.

Fort San Sebastian
The island has preserved ancient European-style buildings.

Other attractions of Mozambique

Bazaruto Archipelago

The archipelago consists of 5 islands. It has been a marine national park since 1971.

"Paradise Island" Santa Carolina
Santa Carolina Island has three beaches with coral reefs just offshore.

Humpback whale
The coastal waters are rich in fish, including leatherback turtles and cetaceans, including humpback whales, right whales and dugongs.

Quirimbas Archipelago

National Park in Northern Mozambique, near the border with Tanzania. It consists of more than 30 islands stretching from Pemba in the south to the city of Palma in the north. This is one of the best and little-known places for fishing and diving: underwater there are vertical cliffs up to 400 m deep! The southern islands of the archipelago are covered with mangrove forest.

Gorongosa National Park

The park is located in the southern part of the East African Rift Valley, covering an area of ​​4000 square meters. m. Vegetation: grassy meadows with acacias, savanna, dry sandy forests, sandstone gorges, tropical forests. The diversity of fauna is enormous. True, during the civil conflicts of the 20th century. Large animal populations have been wiped out by almost 95%, but there are more than 500 species of birds in the park.

Maputo

The capital and largest city of Mozambique. Large port on the Indian Ocean, economic life concentrated in the harbor area. Officially the population is about 1.3 million, but in reality it is much larger.

Born here Eusebio– great Portuguese footballer of Mozambican origin, striker.

Story

In the pre-colonial period, this territory was inhabited by tribes engaged in hunting and gathering.
From the 8th century V East Africa The Arabs began to penetrate, creating many trading posts on the coast of the Indian Ocean. The Arabs exported gold, ivory, and animal skins.

Ivory decoration
By the middle of the 15th century. In the middle part of present-day Mozambique and in the east of present-day Zimbabwe, the early feudal state of Monomotapa arose.

Great Zimbabwe Walls
In 1498, the territory of Mozambique was visited by a Portuguese expedition heading to India, under the command of Vasco da Gama. At the beginning of the 16th century. The Portuguese began to develop the coast of East Africa: in 1505 they built a fort in Sofala, in 1508 - a fortress on the island of Mozambique, then forts Sena and Tete on the banks of the Zambezi River.
In 1607, the ruler of Monomotapa signed an agreement with the Portuguese to cede gold and silver mines to them in exchange for weapons and support in the fight against rebellious vassals.

Colonial period

In 1752, Portuguese possessions in East Africa were officially declared the colony of Mozambique.
By the beginning of the 20th century. Portugal ceded control of large areas of its colony to three private British companies: the Mozambique Company, the Zambezi Company and the Niassa Company. Companies built railways, which connected Mozambique with the neighboring colonies of Great Britain, and ensured the supply of cheap labor to the plantations and mines of the countries in the region.
After World War II, Portugal did not grant independence to its colonies. They were declared "overseas territories". In the Portuguese possessions, processes began to unite opponents of the regime. In 1962, several anti-colonial political groups united to form the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO), which in 1964 initiated an armed struggle against Portuguese colonial rule.

Independence

After a military coup in Portugal (Carnation Revolution), the country gained independence on June 25, 1975.
FRELIMO renamed the country the People's Republic of Mozambique and established a one-party system with a focus on the countries of the socialist camp. An armed opposition to the regime formed in the country, Civil War, which was accompanied by heavy casualties among the civilian population and the migration of refugees. The hostilities ended only in 1992, after the political picture of the region changed.
In Mozambique, there is a struggle between former civil war antagonists FRELIMO and RENAMO, based largely on the country's largest ethnic groups.

Mozambique in the 21st century

In the early 2000s, heavy tropical rainfall that hit southern Africa caused the collapse of most of the dams in the upper reaches of rivers that flow into the Indian Ocean. This led to a catastrophic flood in Mozambique: 640 people died, more than half a million residents were left homeless, crops were completely destroyed on an area of ​​127 thousand hectares, 20 thousand head of cattle were lost, and tens of kilometers of railways and highways were demolished. The Republic of Mozambique was provided with urgent humanitarian assistance.
Mozambique is one of the ten poorest countries in the world. Receives financial assistance from the IMF. In 2001, a 5-year agricultural development program called “Proagri” was developed. In 2003, legislation was passed that tightened the fight against corruption - government officials who abuse their position face up to 8 years in prison.

Imagine a frozen ocean without a single wave, a huge moon illuminating everything around for kilometers, an endless deserted sandy beach, crowns of coconut palms and tens of thousands of sea crabs swarming in the shallows after low tide. These places are for connoisseurs natural nature, there is no need for evening dresses like in Mauritius. But here it’s easy to find a place for solitude, go behind a sand dune and be alone with the ocean, sunbathe and swim. We won’t even talk about fishing, diving and Mozambican sea cuisine. Marlin, sailfish and local king prawns are unbeatable.

Geographical position: Mozambique is located in southeast Africa opposite the island of Madagascar. In the north it borders with Tanzania, in the south and southwest - with South Africa and Swaziland, in the west - with Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi. In the east it is washed by the waters of the Mozambique Channel. Mozambique's territory extends along the Indian Ocean coast for approximately 3,000 km. The coastline in the north is dissected by small bays, the shores are low but rocky. To the south the banks are low and swampy in places. There are natural harbors: Beira, Maputo, Nacala, Pemba. Two-fifths of the country's territory is occupied by coastal plains. In the center of the country there are several plateaus, reaching a highest point of 2436 m (Mount Binga) near the western border. The Namuli mountain range in the north of the country rises to 2419 m. In the northeast lies the Angonia Plateau. In the northern, wider region lies the Mozambique Plateau, which descends in steps east to a narrow coastal lowland (up to 30 km wide). To the south, the lowland expands to 400 km, occupying a total of 44% of the entire area of ​​the country. The total area of ​​the country is 802 thousand square meters. km.

Capital: Maputo. The largest city in Mozambique, located in the south of the country, on the eastern shore of Maputo Bay, at the mouth of the Temb River. A major port on the Indian Ocean, economic life is concentrated in the harbor area. The official population is about 1.3 million people, but in reality it is much higher than this figure due to the large number of slums and other illegal buildings.

Language: Portuguese (official language). English is also used for communication (especially in the capital). The most widely spoken local languages ​​are Imakua, Chinyanja, Chishona and Shangaan.

Religion: According to the 1997 census, Mozambicans classify themselves as belonging to the following faiths: non-religious (possibly many in this group retain traditional beliefs) - 24.25%, Catholics - 24.2%, Muslims - 17.8%, non-Catholic Christians (mostly Protestants) – 11.45%; (Assemblies of God, Methodists, Anglicans, Nazarenes, Adventists), syncretic cults (a mixture of different religions, for example, combining elements of Christianity and traditional African beliefs) - 18.7%, others - 3.6%.

Time: The time difference in Mozambique is 2 hours (relative to time in Moscow). The entire territory of the country is in the same time zone. The country does not switch to summer/winter time, so the time difference remains the same throughout the year.

Climate: The climate of Mozambique in the north is close to equatorial (+25-28 C, precipitation 1300-1500 mm per year), in the south it is tropical trade wind (+20-22 C, precipitation 500-1000 mm per year). The wet season lasts from November to April-May. Droughts and destructive tropical cyclones are frequent. The best time to visit the country is from May to November, during the cooler and less rainy winter months. You can travel during the rainy season, but closer to March some roads are severely washed out, especially in the center and south of the country. People come to Mozambique to watch wild animals in August-September, and to watch birds from December to April.

Currency: Metical (MZN) equal to 100 centavos. There are banknotes in circulation in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 meticals, as well as coins in 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 centavos and 1, 2, 5 and 10 meticals. $1 is equal to approximately 30 meticals. It is better to change money at private exchange offices in Maputo (better rate) or in banks (safer, high commission). You should immediately forget about exchanging money on the street - it is extremely unsafe. The use of credit cards and traveler's checks is difficult throughout the country, and in the provinces it is completely impossible. Bank opening hours: Mon-Fri 7:30-11:15 and 15:00-16:30. Almost all shops and souvenir shops happily accept not only the national currency, but also US dollars and South African rands (they are especially loved in the south).

Mains voltage and socket type: 220/240 V, AC frequency – 50 Hz; Plug sockets usually have two sockets (European type, no adapter is needed), but there may also be three sockets (an adapter for Russian plugs is required).

Customs: The import of foreign currency into Mozambique is not limited (a declaration is required for amounts over 5 thousand US dollars). The import and export of national currency is prohibited. Duty-free import is allowed: cigarettes - up to 400 pcs., or cigars - 50 pcs., or tobacco - 250 g, wine - up to 5 liters, spirits - up to 1 liter, perfumes and medicines - within the limits of personal needs, new goods on an amount not exceeding 100 US dollars. It is prohibited to import drugs, weapons and ammunition for them, pyrotechnics, gold, platinum and silver in bars, plates or coins without the permission of the country's bank, handicraft alcoholic beverages, as well as photographs, graphics, printed materials and video materials "obscene or directed against the Republic of Mozambique or the dignity of the Mozambican people."

The export of ivory and ivory products, food products is prohibited if the conditions for their storage along the route are not ensured.

Population and culture: The population of Mozambique in 2007 was 20,366,795. The country's population is unevenly distributed. Most of the population lives in the coastal areas, along the Zambezi River and on the Angonia Plateau. 98% of Mozambique's population is ethnic language family Bantu. Most numerous people is the Makua people (more than 50%) living in the north of the country. In the south, on the border with South Africa, Tsonga are settled (about 25%). Along Lake Nyasa live Malawi (about 13%) and Yao (more than 3%), in the center are the Shona (about 6%), and in the northeast are the Makonde. There are also Swahili and Zulu, who are much smaller in number. The country is home to people from Asia (Indians make up 0.08% of the population), as well as mulattoes. The number of people of European nationality fell sharply (from 2% to 0.06%) after Mozambique gained independence. Ethnic composition: blacks 99.66%, mulattoes 0.2%, Indians 0.08%, whites 0.06%.

Because of large number different ethnic groups living in the country, the culture of Mozambique has developed over time into a very rich and diverse one. Many rituals, customs, and traditions of the people of Mozambique originated from different tribes and religions. Traditionally, the people of Mozambique believed in animism, so the country practices corresponding animist rituals. Wood carving and sculpture making are the two main traditional art forms in Mozambique. They are especially practiced among the Makonde peoples. Another popular art form is the making of masks called "family trees". Music and dancing are part of the rituals of the peoples of the country. In particular, animistic rituals are accompanied by music and dance. Portuguese music has left a strong mark on the country's folk music. A very popular musical form is marrabenta, which is basically dance music.

Kitchen: The Portuguese left their mark not only on the culture and religion of the country, but also on the national cuisine of Mozambique. Mixed with traditional African dishes, it is quite a mouth-watering and tempting mixture, especially on the fish menu. It is worth trying Piri-Piri sauce - the African equivalent of the hottest chili. Paozinho - pork or beef rolls served with semi-sweet bread. Matapa is a fish dish, usually crab or shrimp, cooked with Casave leaves and rice. Camarao National shrimp are marinated in piri-piri sauce, garlic, onion, lemon and vinegar. And finally, Kakana is a local vegetable with a bitter taste. Another local dish is goulash, which consists of broken up dried fish, fried in oil and mixed with chicken, potatoes, onions, chili and water.

Popular local beers include 2M (pronounced doish-uh), Laurentina Clara and Manica, as well as beers from neighboring African countries: Castle or Windhoek. Strong alcohol, like gin or vodka, is inexpensive and sold everywhere. You can try the local vodka cashu, which is made from cashews, has a sour taste and is said to be good for male libido.

Tips: In Mozambique, it is customary to tip about 10% of the total order in a restaurant. Porters are given a tip of about 0.5 USD per piece of luggage; the driver or guide: 1-2 USD per day.

Souvenirs: At local markets you can buy all kinds of crafts: female and male figurines and sculptural groups made from a single piece of wood, ritual staffs with anthropomorphic heads, spoons decorated with ornamental carvings and human figurines, elegant clay vessels with a white ornament in the form of a zigzag ribbon, smoking pipes , mitete - boxes for medicinal potions and tobacco with stylized drawings on the lid and mortars with carved figures of a person, intended for grinding potions. Also interesting are the wooden carved headrests of the Karanga and the famous ceramics of the Shona people - huge vessels for storing water or grain, covered with pieces of clay and reminiscent of boulder stones. In Mozambique, everything that does not have a price tag is negotiable. It is also worth keeping in mind that, with the exception of large shops and hotels, no one will give a tourist change for a banknote of 500 MZN or higher. So it’s worth exchanging small money in banks or exchange offices in advance.

Air travel: Most international flights to Mozambique connect at Johannesburg Airport (South Africa), although there are direct flights from Maputo to Swaziland and Zimbabwe, as well as to Tanzania, Kenya and Portugal. For example, Kenya Airways, Swazi Express Airways and TAP Portugal fly directly to Maputo - from Durban, Swaziland, Dar es Salaam, Harare, Nairobi and Lisbon. The most convenient way for Russians to get here is by flying Qatar Airways (via Doha) or Lufthansa (via Frankfurt) to Johannesburg, and from there by flying South African Airways or Linhas Aereas de Mocambique to Maputo. South African Airways and Linhas Aereas de Mocambique fly to Pemba several times a day from Johannesburg, Dar es Salaam and Nairobi.

In the north there is the Nyasa plateau (average heights 500–1000 m, but individual peaks rise up to 2000 m), plunging towards the lake of the same name; in the west and north-west of the country there are the crystalline plateaus of Mozambique, Angoni, Motabeli with the highest point - Mount Binga (2436 m). In the southwest, near the border with South Africa, rise the volcanic Lebombo Mountains. Through the territory of Mozambique flow large rivers Zambezi and Limpopo and many smaller rivers (Lurio, Savi, Ligonya, etc.), replete with rapids and waterfalls within the mountainous part. The northwestern part of the country is the coast of the giant border Lake Nyasa; Lake Chilwa is also located on the border with Malawi.

The climate of the north of the country is close to equatorial: temperatures are high all year round (25–28 °C), precipitation falls 1300–1500 mm per year. To the south, the climate changes to a tropical trade wind: average annual temperatures drop to 20–22 °C, and precipitation is also less - 500–1000 mm per year. The wet season lasts from November to April–May. On the plateaus of the north, open forests are common - light tropical forests of miombo, in high areas there are mountain forests in which Mlange cedar and podocarpus are found. South of the Zambezi River, tall grass savannas with isolated groups of acacias and baobabs predominate; in southern Mozambique, vegetation called “mopaniveld”: broad-leaved mopani trees, acacias, and other low-growing trees form a forest savanna that sheds its leaves in the dry season. In the river valleys, moist gallery forests intertwined with lianas have been preserved, and along the coast there are mangrove forests. Large mammals - elephants, hippopotamuses, kaffir buffaloes and other ungulates, lions, white rhinoceroses are preserved mainly in national parks, the largest of which are Gorongosa, Marrumeu, Maputo.

Population

Almost the entire population of Mozambique (more than 28.8 million people) are peoples who speak Bantu languages: Makua, Tsonga, Malawi, Makonde and others. The majority of residents (80%) adhere to local animist cults, the rest are Catholic Christians and Muslims. In Mozambique, there are four economic and cultural types. Along the coast, the influence of Swahili culture remains, influenced by Islam. The population here is engaged in tropical agriculture combined with fishing and crafts - silver chasing, weaving, shell products. The Makua, Yao and Malawi peoples, who were influenced by Islam, preserved ancient African traditions and are engaged in slash-and-burn agriculture and cattle breeding (crafts are poorly developed). The Makonde have developed a very unique way of life: agriculture is combined with hunting and beekeeping, wood carving is developed (small sculptures are famous). The dances performed in ritual masks are original. The remaining peoples were too strongly influenced by different waves of colonization and almost lost their original culture. The capital of the country, Maputo, grew up on the site of a Portuguese fort founded in 1781, but almost no ancient buildings have survived. Other major cities are Beira, Nampula, Tete, Lishinga, Inhambane.

Story

When Portuguese sailors reached Mozambique in 1498, Arab trading settlements already existed on the coast. In the 16th century, Portuguese settlements appeared on the territory of Mozambique, which became bases on trade routes in South Asia. Later, white people began to penetrate into the interior of the country in search of gold and slaves. Although Portuguese influence in the region expanded, power rested with individual settlers who had considerable autonomy. Portugal paid more attention to more profitable trade with India and Southeast Asia, as well as the colonization of Brazil.

By the beginning of the 20th century, Portugal had ceded control large territories his colony to three private British companies: the Mozambique Company, the Zambezi Company and the Niassa Company. These companies built railways that connected Mozambique with neighboring British colonies and provided cheap labor to the plantations and mines of the region.

After World War II, Portugal did not follow the example of other European countries and did not grant independence to its colonies. They were declared “overseas territories”, and migration from the metropolis continued there. In the context of the decolonization of most countries of the continent and the growing influence of national liberation movements in the international arena, processes of political consolidation of opponents of the regime began in the Portuguese possessions. In 1962, several anti-colonial political groups united to form the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO), which in September 1964 initiated an armed conflict against the Portuguese colonial authorities. From the very beginning, the front maintained close contacts with the rebel groups of Angola (MPLA) and Guinea-Bissau (PAIGC).

FRELIMO, relying on bases in Tanzania and the support of the USSR and China, led active fighting in the northern regions of the country and was able to hold party congresses in the controlled territory, however, in general, military experts assess the outcome of the confrontation by the mid-70s as a draw.

Following an armed coup in Portugal known as the Carnation Revolution, Mozambique gained independence on June 25, 1975. Under these conditions, FRELIMO established a one-party system with a focus on the countries of the socialist camp, dissolved religious educational establishments, dismantled the traditional system of government based on chiefs, introduced a planned economy, which process was accompanied by major nationalization, poorly thought out agrarian reform and the expulsion of all Portuguese settlers, which deprived the new country of almost its entire corps of qualified specialists. With the support of Southern Rhodesia and South Africa, an armed opposition to the regime formed in the country, a civil war began, which was accompanied by significant casualties among civilians, extensive damage to infrastructure, and the migration of large numbers of refugees. Hostilities ended only in 1992, after the political picture of the region changed.

After the signing of the peace treaty and the transition of the opposition to the political space in Mozambique, there is a struggle between the former antagonists of the civil war, and now the giants of the political scene - FRELIMO and RENAMO, relying largely on the largest ethnic groups in the country; RENAMO draws support from the north, their opponents from the south. FRELIMO consistently wins parliamentary and presidential elections.

Despite the economic achievements noted by the international community, Mozambique continues to remain one of the poorest countries in the world.

Economy

Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world. Nevertheless, it is classified as a country with a dynamically developing economy.

Agriculture is the backbone of Mozambique's economy. Its share in GDP reaches 22%. 36 million hectares of land are suitable for cultivation, but only 5.4 million hectares are cultivated. 120 thousand hectares are irrigated. The share of agricultural products in exports is 25%. Livestock farming is concentrated in the south of the country. Rice, peanuts, sugarcane, oranges, cola, papaya, etc. are grown.

The civil war in the country dealt a severe blow to industry. Many roads were destroyed, mines and mines were flooded. Since 1993, an economic program based on liberalization and privatization has been implemented.

There are deposits of iron ore, coal, natural gas and bauxite. The capital of neighboring South Africa plays a big role. European countries and Australia are involved in the development of mineral deposits.

The manufacturing industry is mainly represented by enterprises for processing agricultural raw materials (for example, cashew nuts) and soap factories. The sugar industry, destroyed by the civil war, is being restored. An aluminum smelter, breweries, and paper, cement and glass production plants were opened. In 2000, the Fiat car assembly plant began operating. The textile industry is developing.

MOZAMBIQUE

(Republic of Mozambique)

General information

Geographical position. Mozambique is a country in southeast Africa. In the north it borders with Tanzania, in the south and southwest with South Africa and Swaziland, in the west with Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi. In the east it is washed by the Mozambique Strait.

Square. The territory of Mozambique covers 799,380 square meters. km.

Great cities, Administrative division. The capital of Mozambique is Maputo. The largest cities: Maputo (1098 thousand people), Beira (300 thousand people), Nampula (203 thousand people). Administrative division of the country: 10 provinces.

Political system

Mozambique republic. The head of state and government is the president. The legislative body is the unicameral Assembly of the Republic.

Relief. Two-fifths of the country's territory is occupied by coastal plains. There are several plateaus in the center of the country, reaching a highest point of 2,436 m (Mount Binga) near the western border. The Namuli mountain range in the north of the country rises to 2,419 m. In the northeast lies the Angonia Plateau.

Geological structure and minerals. The country's subsoil contains reserves of coal, titanium, iron ore, bauxite, and copper.

Climate. The climate of Mozambique is tropical. In summer the average monthly temperature is about +27°C, in winter about +20°C. The rainy season lasts from April to October.

Inland waters. The country's numerous rivers originate in the mountains in the west and flow into the Mozambique Channel. The main river is the Zambezi, and the largest rivers are the Ruvuma, Savi and Limpopo. The country also contains part of Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi).

Soils and vegetation. About 20% of the country's territory is covered with forests. Dense jungles grow in the river valleys.

Animal world. Among the animals, the most notable are zebra, bull, rhinoceros, giraffe, lion, and elephant.

Population and language

The population of Mozambique is about 18.641 million people, the average population density is about 23 people per 1 sq. km. Most of the population lives in the coastal areas along the Zambezi River and on the Angonia Plateau. Ethnic groups: Ma-kua-lomwe - 47%, Tsonga - 23%, Malawi, Shona, Yao. Languages: Portuguese (official), Makua, Malawi, Shona, Tsonga, Swahili.

Religion

Pagans - 60%, Christians - 30%, Muslims - 10%.

Brief historical essay

Before the Portuguese arrived in East Africa in 1498, the coast was occupied by the city-states of the Zenj. In the 16th century the coast of modern Mozambique almost completely fell under Portuguese rule. By the 17th century The slave trade led to the complete decline of the Mutapa Empire, the most powerful among the Bantu states. Colonization of the country took place gradually. In the 20th century Colonization policy remained virtually unchanged and industry in Mozambique did not develop.

On June 25, 1975, Mozambique gained independence. For 15 years after this, there was a civil war in the country, which further weakened the country’s already not very developed economy.

Brief Economic Sketch

Mozambique is an agricultural country. They cultivate cotton, sugar cane, coconut palm, tobacco, coffee, corn, cassava, peanuts, sorghum, etc. Livestock. Fishing. Mining of coal, bauxite, copper, tantalum and iron ores. Enterprises for processing agricultural raw materials. Logging. Exports: shrimp, cashew nuts, cotton, sugar, timber.

The monetary unit is metical.

Brief essay culture

Art and architecture. Maputo. Museum of Natural History. Tete. Catholic Council 1563